AELTC's Brook to step down as Wimbledon plans expansion

Tennis - 23 Oct 2018

Author: Callum Murray

Philip Brook, chairman of the All-England Lawn Tennis Club, is to step down next year, leaving the organiser and owner of the annual Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament to seek a successor, with an appointment expected in the next six months.

Brook’s departure after nine years is set to coincide with the AELTC’s planned purchase of a neighbouring golf course for £65 million ($84 million).

The AELTC already owns the site of the 73-acre course, but
the golf club has a lease through to 2041, which will be terminated if, as
expected, the members vote to move out in December.

If the deal goes through, the AELTC can begin work on redevelopment as early as 2021, while the golf club members, which number around 800, will receive £85,000 each.

An expansion of the tennis club's 42-acre site would provide more space for courts, so that the Wimbledon qualifying competition can be held at the main venue rather than at nearby Roehampton.

It would also provide extra space for queuing spectators and
a second big-screen viewing area.